Transfer from BA rated on 2-16-12 -
Served in a pint glass
Appearance – Pours a mid to deep-brown color with a white head. Upon letting sit the head fades leaving a little white foam on surface of the brew as well as some nice lacing on the glass.
Smell – Get some chocolate and a little bit of coffee in the beginning. The chocolate aroma remains throughout, but the coffee seems to fade to a sweeter aroma of a bit of toffee and even the slightest bit of dried fruit.
Taste – The taste is a little bit on the dryer side then I was expecting. A nice roastiness of coffee and cocoa up front giving way to a bit of sweetness mixing in toward the middle. The sweetness fades however leaving a more dry roast flavor at the end with a light kick of spicy/peppery flavor.
Mouthfeel –The darker body of the beer is a bit deception as it evokes thoughts of a thicker body. This was a tad thin however and almost rather taunted my tastebuds as I expected a much creamier feel. I would say little to sharp for me.
Overall – Its not a bad brew, but nothing to spectacular. It pales in comparison to their oatmeal stout, so if you are looking for something on the darker side and the oatmeal is on, I say go for it over this, but if not, the brown ale is worth a try.

Had on draft @ The Gamble Mill brewpub, in Bellefonte, PA, USA .. first stop of the day - light bitters .. some leather and molasses .. a touch off .. aftertaste a touch fruity .. . . Mom, can we go to bed without dinner?

Brown ale is a genre I don’t get. It’s like everyone wants to pretend Newcastle doesn’t exist but they all pretty much end up tasting like good or bad copies of Newcastle. Brown pour with a slight hint of lacing. Tastes 60% like Newcastle except fresher. Finishes clean. Yawn!

On tap at the brewpub. Noses in a nice deep caramelized malt sugar. Pours dark-mid brown, with creamy head. I thought this had above average complexity, with some roast notes from the chocolate malts adding an almost smokey complexity to the beer. This definitely wasn’t your average boring brown, but instead brought a solid suite of well developed malt flavors and a nice spicy hop kick at the end. Next to the pale ale, one of the most enjoyable beers.

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